Toilet paper dispensing system

ABSTRACT

A toilet paper dispenser adapted for use on bathroom walls, that entails a hollow box like configuration, sized to house a vertical column of a plurality of horizontal regular to large sized toilet rolls. A spring bias lever, shaped liked the number 3, will incorporate itself in storage chamber and on exterior front plate. Interior chamber appendage arms will store rolls. Exterior section of lever will pivot off its center point facilitating a shift of position of interior appendage arms, blocking stored rolls, while releasing loaded roll; then will inverse its function to release stored roll into blocked loaded position, which returns lever back to a checking of the two most bottom rolls. Rolls are delivered one at a time to a base designed to rotate toilet roll. A set of three rollers, confined by units side and back plates, will contain and facilitate rotation of toilet roll.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Provisional Patent Application No. 60/191,595 was filed by abovenamed Inventor Perry A Seltzer on Mar. 27, 2000

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Federally sponsored research and development was not used in thisinvention.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates generally to an improved device fordispensing and storing rolled materials particularly rolled toiletpaper.

[0006] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0007] As most users of the familiar one-roll toilet paper holderinstalled in homes have encountered at one point or another, the primaryproblem with this device is that it does not provide for the storage oreasy replacement of additional rolls of toilet paper. Upon depletion ofthe installed roll, a new roll must be located and installed. A previoususer of the toilet may have left only a small amount of paper remainingon the roll. Unless an extra roll is stored nearby, a subsequent usermay be left without a sufficient supply of toilet paper. In many cases,the storage of an extra roll of paper near the toilet is aestheticallyunappealing. Moreover, many visually or physically challengedindividuals lack the requisite dexterity and other motor or visualskills required to remove and install a roll of toilet paper on thefamiliar holder.

[0008] Several inventors have recognized the first problem with toiletpaper dispensers and have provided a toilet paper dispenser that storesextra rolls of toilet paper. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,534,290(Moskowitz) and U.S Pat. No. 4,177,958 (Poole). The patents to Moskowitzand Poole disclose inventions stacking multiple rolls of toilet papervertically within a housing. However, these devices offer no simple oreasy to use mechanism for installing rolls of toilet paper or for movinga stored roll into an optimal position for being used following theexhaustion of paper from a previous roll. Neither of these devices areparticularly useful or helpful, especially for physically or visuallychallenged individuals.

[0009] Some inventors have attempted to provide an aestheticallydesirable multi-rolled residential toilet paper that also offers arelatively simple mechanism for installing the rolls of paper and formoving a stored roll into an optimal position for being used followingthe exhaustion of paper from a previous roll. See e.g. U.S. Pat. No.2,991,951 (Carroll) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,809 (Sineni et al). However,these devices are not particularly easy to fill with toilet paper oruse, especially for physically and visually challenged individuals.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 2,991,951 (Carroll) discloses a columnar toiletpaper dispenser and container secured to a wall. The toilet paper issecured on a dowel which extends longitudinally within the dispenserwith gravity urging the paper downward. An open area at the lower end ofthe dispenser permits the roll of paper positioned at the bottom of thecontainer to be used. An opening at the top of the container permitsadditional rolls to be added to the dowel. A pivotally adjusted U-shapedbail extends across the opening at the lower end of the dispenser suchthat it may block the stored rolls of toilet paper from falling into theopen area at the bottom of the container until they are needed for use.Upon completion of the roll of paper at the bottom of the dispenser, theuser must tear the cardboard roll off the dowel and swing the bailoutward to permit another roll to fall into place. The user must thenlift the rolls of paper remaining on the dowel above the area occupiedby the bail, and return the new roll of paper positioned to be used. Aswith traditional one-roll toilet paper holders, such activities areparticularly difficult for physically or visually challengedindividuals.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,809 (Sineni) discloses a cylinder madedeformable material. The cylinder can hold multiple rolls of toiletpaper which can be elevated to the top of the cylinder by means of a rodrunning across the interior of the cylinder. The rod is locked intoplace by twisting it, the height of the rod as viewed in cross sectionis greater than the width of the groove provided in the cylinder, suchthat twisting the rod deforms the cylinder and wedges the rod in place.Indicator marks positioned on the exterior surface of the cylinderprovide a visual reference as to when the rod is properly positioned topermit the top roll to be accessed easily. All the rolls are concealedfrom view by a cover. Apparently, Sineni offers only a means for storingtoilet paper when not in use, it does not describe any means fordispensing individual sheets of toilet paper from the rolls themselves.Moreover the wedging of the rod within the deformable slot may beparticularly difficult for individuals who are physically or visuallychallenged to perform easily or consistently.

[0012] Accordingly, despite these attempts, there remains a need for anaesthetically pleasing toilet paper holder that is capable of storingmultiple rolls of toilet paper while still permitting easy andunrestricted dispensing of individual tissues from a roll of toiletpaper, easy removal of the cardboard cylindrical spool upon exhaustionof that roll, easy placement of the exhausted roll with one that isstored in the holder, and easy filling of the holder with rolls oftoilet paper

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The subject invention overcomes the above described shortcomingsin known conventional toilet roll dispensers by providing an integrallymolded storage and dispensing unit this is simple to use and economicalto manufacture. Provides easy installation by way of mounting it tobathroom wall. This device has a trigger mechanism that delivers storedrolls one at a time from storage chamber into receiving tray located atbottom of machine. This tray negates the need for a conventional typespool, and problems associated with a spool.

[0014] By confinement and compartmentalizing of tray sidewalls,backplate and three rolling pin set, this tray acts as a substitute fora spool. This in turn provides for quick and easy access for adjustmentof full or depleted roll. Also this solves the problem associated withthe need to install roll from storage onto spool, as the tray acceptsroll immediately for use. The tray side walls will be spaced apart toreceive a toilet roll there-between. This space kept to a minimum willkeep roll from twisting out of tray. Back of tray will from a line thatfollows the side and bottom ⅓ profile of a full size toilet roll, thiswill connect to backplate forming a space that will keep roll forward inplace, in lower set of rollers. The arrangement of tray rollers will bebroken up into thirds. The apex of front facing rolling pin/brake barwill be ⅓ of the height of a resting horizontal toilet paper roll. Thisbar will sit out in front of roll so as not to impede it. Bottom frontrolling pin will sit down and away from facing rolling pin/brake bar, nomore than the diameter or radius of a inner core of toilet paper. Backrolling pin will also sit behind front rolling pin, less than the widthof a inner core. The standard industrial average diameter of toiletpaper roll, from the outside edge of the inner core to its opposedoutermost layer of tissue, is generally no larger than 1 ⅜ of an inch.The average width of a inner core of toilet paper is 1 ¾ of an inch. Bykeeping the distance between each rolling pin less than the width acardboard spool apart, the depleted roll can not get stuck betweencomponents. Because the width in-between each rolling pin is not morethan the width of a cardboard spool, the combination of these distancesallows the front facing rolling pin/brake bar to sit directly in frontof large size toilet paper roll without adjustment of components. Ashield can be placed above this bar to further contain roll into tray,one that can move in and out of positions. The performance of roll as itgets smaller and moves in size away from bar/brake does not diminish. Asroll can only go so far in its forward movement before having to returnback into tray. Also forward movement is diminished somewhat as rolltakes on a lower profile and spins more easier. Forward movement shouldonly occur when user employs the brake to tear off tissue from roll.This action returns roll back into tray. Roll will stop performing andcome out of tray when roll is depleted. A roll that falls with itsleading edge of tissue over the top FIG. 7 will utilize the front facingrolling pin/brake bar and front bottom rolling pin to rotate on. Theroll rocks back into tray when released. A roll that has its leadingedge of tissue coming out from underneath will rotate on bottom tworolling pins FIG. 8. The roll rocks forward only when employing frontupper brake/bar to tear off individual tissue. This action returns rollback into tray, tissue paper is threaded for use between brake bar andfront lower rolling pin. On the vertical center line of storage faceplate, an exterior lever with two arms, enters interior chamber ofstorage unit and will be used to check the two most bottom rolls in thestorage unit chamber. The lower interior arm of lever wedges loaded rollagainst back plate through a springs bias between lower arms end pointand the interior back of front plate. Upper arm of lever enters unitabove loaded roll and below storage roll. This upper interior armimpedes upper stored roll from entering loading position until needed.Upper arm exterior housing point will contain a spring for compressionforces only. A depressing of upper lever trigger point will further trapstorage roll against interior back plate. This will recede lowerinterior arm through a pivot or shifting action formed off its exteriorlever center point. This action pulls lower arm of lever into the backof interior front plate, releasing loaded roll. The basis for unit toaccept different diameters in toilet rolls will be allowed by theability of upper arm of lever to exit chamber of storage unit inincrements. Depending on the diameter of roll, this feature, by alifting action off of exterior center point, will cause upper arm tokick back out of chamber enough to allow stored roll passage thru to aloading position. Stored roll will only be released into loadingposition when pressure from previously loaded roll is released. Thissnaps mechanism back into its preloading stage which causes upper arm oflever to release stored roll. Weight of stored roll will assist the exitof upper arm out of chamber. Roll will push its way thru to its finalloaded position. The rate of drop of roll combined with its weight willwedge loaded roll between back plate and arm lower end point. This willshift lever back into a blocking position of stored rolls, resettingmechanism for new release. This blocking and resetting of roll isimportant because the full weight of stored roll should not sit ontriggers lower mechanism. The trigger works in a symbolic relationshipwith the back plate. The end point of lower interior arm lever holdssome flexibility for different sizes in the diameter of the roll it canhold. A sizing mechanism, that can be moved in and out of position toaccommodate a regular or large roll, can be placed on back plate belowand behind lower loaded roll.

[0015] An industrial size model made of stainless steel that could holdup to 8 rolls would have different interior dimension requirements thana more compact unitary model made of plastic that could hold threerolls. And that should in no way take away from the spirit or intent andscope of this invention. Since the trigger mechanism works with theinner dimension of the storage unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0016] FIGS. 1A-4 Trigger main points, front and side view of completeunit, and front plate measurements.

[0017]FIG. 4 shows lever in its storing mode and side measurements.

[0018]FIG. 5 shows lever blocking stored rolls and releasing loaded rolland side measurements.

[0019]FIG. 6 shows lever releasing stored roll into a loaded position,which then resets lever back into a checking of the two most bottomrolls in storage chamber.

[0020]FIG. 7 shows toilet roll utilizing front upper roller and lowerfront roller to rotate a roll with it leading edge of tissue coming outfrom over the top.

[0021]FIG. 8 shows toilet roll utilizing its two lower set of rollers torotate a roll with its leading edge of tissue coming out fromunderneath.

[0022]FIG. 9 shows roll being stepped down thru storage chamber.

[0023]FIG. 10 shows flexible prongs that will substitute for receivingtray.

[0024]FIG. 11 shows lever depressed and lever in its quiescent statealong with measurements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Description of the Preferred Embodiment

[0026] Referring initially to FIG. 1 the subject dispenser 11 should bemade of conventional plastic in an unitarily molded plastic body. Formedby conventional molding techniques such as injection molding. This unitcould also be made in the form of metal such as stainless steel.

[0027] To facilitate the trigger mechanism 25, sizing mechanism 28, andtray rolling pin set 12 a metal/plastic combination should be used andformed so as to allow components to be fixed or snap into place.

[0028] The dispenser 11 requires some assembly, but parts are few andsimple to install. Thus making unit economical to manufacture and saleat a relatively low price.

[0029] The toilet paper roll dispenser and storage device 11 includes ahollow box like chamber. Defined by four walls: front plate 13, twosides plate 14, 15, and back plate 30. A top plate 31 will form lid forreceiving toilet roll for storage. Bottom plate 12 will form receivingrolling pin tray for individually dispensing of tissue from roll.

[0030] A lever with two arms shaped like a number 3, will form the basefor the trigger. Length of lower interior arm 21 will enter machine at a10 to 15 degree angle. In its quiescent state FIG. 4 this length will beenough to check loaded roll against back plate. A depression of upperarm outer radius 25 trigger point, forward into interior chamber, willshift lower interior arm away from loaded roll enough to drop roll intoreceiving tray. A further trapping of already checked upper stored rollswill occur when trigger is depressed. Upper arm 22 enters unit aboveloaded roll and follows a line that forms the curve of the stored rollbottom 113 profile. The length of interior upper arm 20 depth willdepend upon the stage of mode arm is in. Pressure from loaded roll onlower interior arm will shift lever upper interior arm into a blockingof upper store roll. Two vertically opposed open housing points 22, 23will house and contain lower 21 and upper 20 arms of lever frame work.The length of exterior lever will invert itself from its opposed outsideradius or angles on center, to form a line or angle that creates a pivotor shifting action between its two opposed end points. The length ofinterior lower arm 21 on lever will house a spring 24 along its axis.This spring 24 will be bias between end point of lower arm 21 andinterior back of front plate 13. The spring will assist free movement ofarms 20, 21 thru its open housing points 22, 23 on front plate 13. Thisspring will also return lever arms into a checking of storage units twobottom most rolls, when trigger is in its storing mode.

[0031] The profile of the lever is incorporated vertically centered onfront plate 13. Lever arms enter front plate at two points 22, 23. Armsend inside chamber at two points 20, 21. End point of arms are used tocheck the two most bottom roll. Trigger point 25 of upper lever ispressed forward releasing and blocking rolls at same time. This isaccomplished by a bias of lower interior arm 24 and a pivot action offof center exterior lever 26.

[0032] The upper arm quiescent state will leave enough space between itsend point and interior backplate to let a regular size toilet roll passthru. Entry way 22 for upper arm of lever will contain a small springfor compression forces only. This spring will only contain forcesapplied forward, while still freely allowing upper arm 20 to exitexterior of unit front plate 13. Exterior lever center will haveenclosed tract on face plate that will allow upper arm to lift off andout of exterior face plate enough to accommodate different sizes inrolls. Housing entrance points for lever arms will be an open circularelongated enclosure that will accommodate a bilateral direction of lowerexterior arm. Upper entrance point will be spaced so as to be able toallow proper exiting of arm. A sizing mechanism 28 place on back plate30 located behind and below loaded roll will have two levels. One levelwill be for regular rolls and a second level will be for larger rolls.This sizing mechanism 28 will be moved in and out of position accordingto its needs. The basis that lower interior arm 21 can accept differentsizes in the diameter of the roll it holds will accommodate the functionof sizing mechanism. This sizing button 28 will also act as a bumper toslow the rolls rate of fall against back plate 13 as it comes to restagainst lower interior arm 21.

[0033]FIG. 4 shows roll pattern in a blocking position. Pressure fromloaded roll exerts itself on lever lower arm causing lower arm 21 toshift forward, this moves upper arm 20 into a blocking position. Whenreleasing loaded roll FIG. 5, stored roll is further trapped againstback plate 30. Release of trigger 25 FIG. 6 assisted by snapping back oflower interior arm 21 combined with weight of stored roll pushing upperinterior arm 20 back and out of exterior of front plate 13, will assistpassage of stored roll into loading position 21. The newly loaded rollweight and rate of drop will cause lever to again return to a shiftingof upper interior arm back into a blocking position FIG. 4, settlingmechanism for new release. FIG. 9 rolls should be stepped down thruupper chamber so as to allow proper timing as they enter triggermechanism. These steps will also redirect some of the weight or pressurefrom rolls to storage front and back plate.

[0034] The storage unit 11 may be built to any desired height. But as apractical matter a height of 11 inches or so above lowest position oftrigger mechanism 25 is enough to store three rolls in the chamber. Thetwo side walls 14,15 of storage unit and tray will be spaced apart toreceive a toilet roll in its horizontal position there between. Thespace kept to a minimum will keep roll from twisting out of tray. Frontplate 13 and back plate 30 opposed surfaces will be spaced apart enoughto accommodate lever interior arms 20, 21 and the width of a horizontaltoilet roll. This would essentially make the storage unit a squarechamber. Lower receiving tray, three pin rolling set 12 will sit down atleast 5 inches away from bottom of storage unit 11. This keeps roll inuse away from stored rolls and allows for adjustment of roll in use. Thereceiving tray apparatus will house its three pin rolling set betweenits two opposed side plates 14, 15 at the lowest most point of storageunit. The distances between each rolling pin will be equally spaced.Exempt from this is the middle spacing between lower set of roller,which will retain the spacing of the width of an inner core of toiletpaper. The diameter of each roller will be approximately ⅜ to ½ of ainch, depending on the need or size of unit to be used. Lower back plate30 will form a line that follows the ⅓ profile of the back of lowerloaded toilet roll. This curving back plate 30 will come to rest closeto the rear most lower rolling pin 19. This feature keeps roll forwardin its tray. Lower forward rolling pin 18 will take on a oval shape. Itwill also contain a spike or point 16 in its center. The oval shape ofthis roller will create a lopsided movement of roll as it spins. Thiskeeps roll from getting stuck between its upper facing rolling pin 17and lower forward rolling pin 18. The center tracking spike 16 will pullpaper along and act like a grip. In essence this feature brings roll outof its forward movement every half rotation. This is especially neededfor a roll that falls with its leading edge of tissue over the top FIG.7. The softer the roll is, the more inclined it is when being pulledforward, for it to get stuck between its upper facing rolling pin 17,and lower front rolling pin 18. Center spike 16 on lower front rollingpin 18 keeps softer rolls tracking properly. Facing upper rollingpin/brake 17 will sit up and away from lower front rolling pin not morethan the radius of a inner cardboard spool of toilet paper. This willcontain roll when it is at its smallest from coming out of tray.

[0035] In relationship to trigger mechanism being bias on its lower arm.A bias between either upper arm, or central point of exterior leverwould impart a same blocking and release function. Although this wouldcomplicate mechanism and severely limit the units ability to acceptdifferent sizes in a toilet paper roll. Sometime rolls just out of thepackage are not completely round. The trigger mechanism and back plateshapes the roll into its necessary form needed for release. Also triggermechanism has ability to accept different sizes of toilet roll. Tostabilize the toilet roll as it transits thru trigger mechanism, aflatten or flange type approach to the end points of lever arms 20, 21will be incorporated. To what extent upper arm 20 of lever should exitits length of its arm from within the chamber, to a point preestablishedon exterior front plate, this configuration would determine the basis ofunits ability to accept a different set of diameter in rolls. At thesame time the lower bias arm would return this different by its abilityto release and block different sizes in a toilet roll. The weight andsize of toilet roll will effect and cause lever to react in relationshipthat accepts the nature of different sizes in a toilet roll. Shiftingits mechanism into a position, comparable in its needs to perform itsfunction. Finding its proper setting which is conducive to roll that isbeing blocked or released.

[0036] A base plate to connect unit to proper wall site could beestablished by ridges that correspond to inlet in either base plate orunit. Preinstalling base plate to wall site unit will then slide overtop edge of base plate ridges or inlets, pinning unit to base plate.

[0037] A viewing screen located on front or side plate would assistgauging of storage capacity. A decreasing of space between tray andstorage chamber would trap roll and assist in theft prevention.

[0038]FIG. 10 a flexible prong or device that penned toilet paper rollbetween its two opposed side plates, so as to allow rotation of toiletpaper roll for its individual dispensing of its tissues. Could be usedas an alternative for the rolling pin set.

[0039] In view of the wide variety of embodiments to which theprinciples of the invention can be applied, it should be apparent thatthe detailed embodiments are illustrative only and should not be takenas limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, the claimed inventionincludes all such modifications as may come within the scope of thefollowing claims and equivalents thereto.

[0040] While the above describes the preferred embodiment of the subjectinvention, the invention is not intended to be so limited. Otherembodiment, that will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and whichutilize the teachings herein set forth, are intended to be within thescope and spirit of the invention.

1. What I claim as my invention is a toilet paper dispensing system thatentails a hollow box like configuration, sized to house a verticalcolumn of a plurality of horizontal regular to large size toilet paperrolls; and whose spring biased mechanism which is incorporated on and insuch storage unit, will facilitate whether its elastic force iscompressed or stretched, a retraction of its interior appendage, thusreleasing roll, and in return will deliver a plurality of toilet paperrolls in a downward transit thru its chamber one at a time to a basedesigned to rotate toilet roll.
 2. A dispenser according to claim 1wherein a mechanical apparatus such as a lever or dial incorporated onand in said storage unit; whose interior chamber appendage arm or armswill by a shift of their position block and release; or inverse itsfunction and release and block a plurality of toilet paper rolls, thusfacilitating a downward transit of rolls thru its chamber so as todeliver rolls one at a time to its designated point.
 3. A dispenseraccording to claim 1 wherein said mechanical apparatus will utilize itsinterior chamber appendage plate or flaps; to retract to release roll,or close to impede roll, thus facilitating a downward transit thru itschamber a plurality of toilet paper rolls; delivering toilet paper rollsone at a time to its designated point.
 4. A dispenser according to claim1 wherein a spring bias lever incorporated on and in said storage unit,whose two appendage interior chamber arms when in its storing mode;checks the two most bottom rolls of a plurality of stored rolls in itssaid chamber. Said spring bias lever incorporated on and in said storageunit, whose two said interior chamber arms will by a shift of theirposition block and release or inverse its function and release and blocka plurality of toilet rolls; thus facilitating a downward transit ofrolls thru its chamber so as to deliver rolls one at a time to itsdesignated point. Said spring bias lever incorporated on and in saidstorage unit, whose upper interior arm will release stored roll onto itslower interior arm; when lever returns to its quiescent state, which inreturn resets said lever into a checking of two bottom most rolls. Aretraction of said lever from or off its pivot point, so as to allowsaid upper arm of lever to exit out of said storage chamber, enough toaccommodate a different set of diameter in toilet roll.
 5. A dispenseraccording to claim 4 wherein said lever arms will incorporate a flat orflange type approach to their end points to stabilize transit of roll.6. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein a set of rolling pins willbe utilized to rotate roll, and whose two lowest set of rollers willrotate the axis of a toilet paper roll with its leading edge of tissuecoming out from underneath.
 7. A dispenser according to claim 6 whereina roll whose leading edge of tissue coming out from over the top willutilize its front upper rolling pin and lower front rolling pin torotate roll.
 8. A dispenser according to claim 7 wherein said frontlower pin will take on a oval shape or whose center point axis will beoffset so as to bring rolls out of its forward movement every halfrotation.
 9. A dispenser according to claim 8 wherein a tracking spikeor point on said front lower rolling pin center point will be utilizedto grip and pull paper
 10. A dispenser according to claim 9 wherein aset of flexible prongs will pen toilet paper roll between its twoopposed side plates, so as to allow rotation of toilet roll.
 11. Adispenser according to claim 1 wherein roll will be stepped down thruits upper chamber so as to keep roll properly timed as they entertrigger mechanism.